Mike Mentzer, Fred Hahn.
i go for richard simmons, cindy crawford, and anyone that belives in “toning” and “feeling the burn”
I think that everyone has something to offer. It depends on what goals you choose to puruse. For the longest time, I was an avid MM reader and followed BP and Charles P. to the letter. I still might (out of pure laziness) follow the BFL eating style. But when it comes time to Shit or get off the Pot, I am a true follower of John Berardi. His massive eating is something to be tried to believe.
I’ve gotten a lot out of Ian King and the t-mag staff, recently I’ve gotten into Coach Davies (I’ll never use a wheelbarrow, but mad props for the hack squat!) and Paul Chek, especially his stuff for traps and abs. My traps are huge, i love it.
While I’ve gotten good ideas on training from most all the above mentioned, there are two that totally stand out in my opinion…Coaches Davies and Staley. These two are generous enough to spend large amounts of time on here answering our questions and helping us out on a regular basis. How many times has Poliquin or Pavel been on here fielding questions? Many thanks to you, Coach Davies and Staley (by the way Coach D, you know me as “Little Diego.”) If I knew what you wanted for Christmas, I would send you a gift.
Bill Starr (former John Hopkins U coach), Charles Staley and Pavel Tsatsouline.
Pavel’s stuff is great if you want to be really strong and functional and not look like you workout at all while wearing a T-shirt. Come on, folks, back to bodybuilding! 
Don Alessi looks promising.